Former American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Ethan Stiefel has been appointed Senior Faculty at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) School. The appointment, effective September 2025, was announced by ABT JKO School Artistic Director Stella Abrera. Stiefel returns to the ABT JKO School after serving as Artistic Director of American Repertory Ballet, where he is currently The Nora C. Orphanides Artist in Residence. Stiefel joined ABT as a Principal Dancer in 1997 and gave his final performance with the Company in July 2012. Stiefel was the Principal Guest Instructor at the ABT JKO School from 2016-2021. Additionally, Stiefel has choreographed new works for the top level of the ABT JKO School and ABT Studio Company.
Speaking of his return to the ABT JKO School, Stiefel said, “To be invited back to an organization that I revere and where I have previously received so much fulfillment, is galvanizing and significant. I am thankful for Stella Abrera’s confidence in my experience and abilities, and for offering me the opportunity to inform and mentor the development of such a talented array of young adults. I look forward to returning to an environment that infinitely inspires me and the chance to work alongside the accomplished members of the ABT JKO School team.”
Regarding Stiefel’s appointment, Abrera commented, “Ethan is one of the greatest dance artists of our time. With his vast knowledge of the classical and neoclassical canon, having danced as Principal Dancer with ABT, and as a guest principal with leading companies on the world’s most prestigious stages, he not only brings extraordinary technical and artistic mastery but also an inspiring commitment to the next generation. As a dance educator for several years, he has helped shape the careers of countless performing artists. It is our great fortune to welcome him back in this pivotal role to the ABT JKO School.”
Before joining ABT, Ethan Stiefel was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet and Ballett Zürich. He performed as a guest with major companies including The Royal Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Australian Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada, among others, and toured extensively in the U.S., Japan, Russia, and Europe. Stiefel starred as Cooper Nielsen in the films Center Stage, Center Stage: Turn It Up, and Center Stage: On Pointe. In 1999, he received the Princess Grace Foundation’s Statue Award, and in 2008, he was honored with the Dance Magazine Award. As a choreographer, he has created works for companies worldwide. Stiefel has taught at prestigious institutions like Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet School, and The School of American Ballet. He served on the jury for the Paris Opera Ballet’s 2014 promotion examination and the 2015 Prix de Lausanne.
For more information, please visit www.abt.org.
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